Fear for poor perpetuates
state's economic tailspin

The governor appoints a panel to create and find ways to energize our economy -- panel says cut taxes. Governor says "No can, it will hurt the poor." The method is called the Circle of Futility.

H. Mal Campbell

Charities could fill void
left by state tax cuts

The notion that "the poor will be hurt" if massive taxes were cut simply is not true. Social services could be delivered by private charities at infinitely better quality at less cost than their monolithic state counterparts.

Purposeless departments and horrendous waste could be eliminated practically overnight. Accounting and general services could be computerized and procurement delegated to each department resulting in millions saved, or the state's Land Use Commission could be abolished since it merely duplicates each county's review.

The protection of state employment is also a misnomer since the rechanneling of state funds to private sector initiatives would result in more productive and rewarding private sector jobs for displaced state workers.

Behind this veneer of compassion for the poor and for state workers is the political obligation to public labor -- its byproduct an injured economy.

Without question, our economy can be vastly improved by having freer markets as in other prosperous states or in non-socialist countries. However, given the state's already lukewarm response to lower taxes, people may soon have to put their homes at firesale discount prices to get out of here.

Gene Dumaran

Hawaii resembles
a Third World economy

A task force proposal to lower state taxes is a reminder of Hawaii's resemblance to Third World economies. Our taxes are low already on high incomes, expensive real estate and hotel rooms. Low taxes on the rich and powerful are typical of underdeveloped nations.

Other similarities are a small or shrinking middle class; high proportions of low-wage jobs; people with two or three jobs. Also part of Hawaii's growing Third World nature are high unemployment, homelessness, violence and theft.

Another key similarity is land ownership as one of the best sources of income. Only highly profitable enterprises can afford high lease rents. Small businesses can't do that. They go bankrupt and are replaced with costly luxury shops for the affluent. More Third-Worldization of Hawaii.

Jerome G. Manis

Mililani High should
stick with single-track system

Our school has an overcrowding problem, and many administrators and faculty members believe that a multi-track system would be the answer.

Of course, it would solve the overcrowding problem because there would be fewer students on campus. But while it solves one problem, it will create many new problems.

There will be Mililani High School students walking or driving on the streets at all times of the day because they won't be in school together. This would cause more crime in the community and island.

How would police or even store or restaurant workers know if a student is truant or not? The student could just say that it's not time for him/her to go to school.

Mililani High is fine as is. It's not too crowded and we can manage. Multi-track could do more harm than good, so why try it?

Amanda-Joy Ishii
Mililani High student

Swiss banks don't want to
part with Marcos loot

How utterly stupid is Philippines President Fidel Ramos (Star-Bulletin, Oct. 7). So negotiations with the Marcos family -- regarding the millions of dollars they stole from the U.S. government and the people of the Philippines -- is the only way to come to a "win-win" solution?

Does he believe the Swiss banks are in any way involved regarding the secrecy of the Marcos monies? This is the same Swiss banking system that still holds millions that the Nazi government of the Third Reich stole from the Jews they conveniently gassed and murdered throughout World War II.

Yeah, sure. They will disclose every penny the Marcoses stole. You bet.

The tomb of Ferdinand Marcos is $195,000 in arrears with the power company that keeps his postmortem shrine cool and comfortable. Did Mrs. Marcos, congresswoman and defender of the people, lose her Swiss bank account ATM card?

Charles F. Hennen(Via the Internet)

Harris is shameless
in his opportunism

In "Clay Figures," cartoonist Jones drew a discarded "Support Our Coach" sign among the mayor's trash cans -- a recent political ploy used by Harris to further his public image and political ambitions via public sentiments.

This cartoon presented a succinct depiction of the character, or lack of character, of Mayor Harris.

From his lack of loyalty to his mentor, former Mayor Fasi, to his support of a controversial football coach in a disagreement with our governor, Mayor Harris is quick to bandwagon himself to anything that he feels will gain him public favor.

Want to write a letter to the editor? Let all Star-Bulletin readers know what you think. Please keep your letter to about 200 words. You can send it by e-mail to letters@starbulletin.com or you can fill in the online form for a faster response. Or print it and mail it to: Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu, Hawaii 96802. Or fax it to: 523-8509. Always be sure to include your daytime phone number.